Cholesterol
Birch Bark may improve Cholesterol Levels
Birch bark may not be the first thought of individuals who have just received unhealthy cholesterol test results, but a new study has found that a nutrient in it may be able to help them get their cholesterol levels under control.
Researchers from the Shanghai Institute for Biological Studies analyzed the ingredient betulin, which is commonly found in birch bark. It has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy and was recently shown by University of Latvia researchers to inhibit inflammation.
For the current study, the researchers gave a group of mice either a betulin supplement, statin medication or placebo. They found that the mice that were given betulin were able to lower their cholesterol levels. This helped them avoid obesity and prevented insulin resistance.
In fact, the results were comparable to the mice that were given statin medications, which are the most widely prescribed drugs for lowering cholesterol.
The researchers said that more research needs to be conducted to determine if the nutrient is toxic at higher levels. However, they believe that it could become a useful tool in the battle against heart disease.
Source:
www.privatemdlabs.com
2011/01/05
How High Cholesterol Can Be Treated
Michael C Martin, a physician at the Center for Executive medicine in Dallas says: High levels of the fatty substance called low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, in the blood eventually harden into plaque on artery walls.
When plaque builds up, arteries narrow, which cuts off the amount of oxygen-carrying blood that can reach your heart; this can cause stroke or heart disease.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol by picking up the excess LDL and shuttling it to the liver, where it is broken down.
Treatment: Red yeast rice contains plant sterols that block cholesterol absorption. In recent studies, patients lowered their total cholesterol about 25% after taking 2.4 grams of the supplement daily. 4- 6 grams a day of omega-3s, found in fatty fish and flaxseed, also elevate HDL and reduce artery-hardening triglycerides.
Karina Limpo, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, herbalist & acupuncturist says: When the liver or spleen channels become blocked by excess fluids, it hinders the flow of qi, or energy, to the blood vessels.
Good qi flow helps expel cholesterol so it isn't absorbed into the bloodstream; improving digestion and blood circulation both help to do this.
Treatment: The Chinese herb shan zha (hawthorn berries) can aid digestion and enhance circulation (but if you're taking medication for heart disease, consult your doctor first). Pour boiling water over about 6 grams (about a half tablespoon) of the herb and let it steep for 15 minutes for a sweet-tasting tea. Drink two times per day, and for maximum effect, eat the dried berries left over in the cup. You can also improve circulation by getting the blood and qi moving with energy exercises such as tai chi and qigong.
Source:
naturalhealthmag.com
27 June 2011
Swap This For That To Control Cholesterol
A diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat helps improve blood cholesterol levels and lowers your risk for heart disease. Luckily, eating this way does not have to mean skipping your favorite meals. Often, its a simple matter of switching one food for another.
Below are some smart food-swapping solutions.
Instead of: Eggs sunny-side up
Eat this: Egg-white omelet
All the cholesterol in eggs is found in the yolks. In recipes, replace each whole egg with two egg whites. When baking, add a little vegetable oil for moister consistency.
Instead of: Meat lasagna
Eat this: Vegetable lasagna
Most saturated fat comes from animal sources,including meat and dairy products. Also consider using reduced-fat cheese. Instead of: Pan-fried burger
Eat This: Grilled burger
Start with lean ground beef or turkey. Cook on a rack to let the fat drip away. Or get rid of saturated fat completely by grilling a Portobello mushroom instead of a meat burger.
Intead of: Deep-fried chicken
Eat This: Baked chicken Being overweight can increase your cholesterol, so watch the calories from oil. To further reduce fat, choose light colored meat and remove the skin.
Source:
www.sharp.com
10 November 2011
Niacin is a Vitamin that can be used as Cholesterol Treatment
The prospect of avoiding a statin medication and just taking a vitamin for cholesterol is enticing, but is niacin really a vitamin? Yes, niacin is also known as vitamin-B3, or nicotinic acid.
While it is used to lower cholesterol, it is also used to treat many ailments such as vascular disease, migraines, vertigo, dementia, depression, motion sickness, ADHD, and even leprosy.
But, is Niacin safe?
Niacin is generally considered safe, even for kids over 7. Talk with your obstetrician first if you are pregnant or lactating.
Is it effective?
As for effectiveness, niacin needs to be taken in fairly high doses; as many as 2000-3000 mg daily. Doses as low as 1500 mg can significantly lower the triglycerides and raise the healthy HDL cholesterol. The typical over the counter niacin vitamin supplement is 250-500 mg and, if you do the math, you can see that would require many pills a day.
Statin medications like lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, are still considered first line for high cholesterol,because they are much more effective. Still be sure to talk with your doctor first to see if niacin is an acceptable alternative. While the evidence is less than convincing, there is some indication niacin in combination from food and supplements may lower the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Niacin comes from meat, fish, beans, nuts, grains and cereals that we eat. It might also reduce your chances of developing cataracts, diabetes, or even arthritis. However, if you already have diabetes, the niacin can worsen it. Ongoing research is being conducted in all these areas.
Unfortunately niacin has an Achilles heel. It causes the blood vessels in the skin to dilate, particularly in the face, neck and chest. This shows as a red flushing appearance in the skin, and an uncomfortable burning sensation often compared with a hot flash in a peri-menopausal woman.
Most people develop a tolerance to this uncomfortable side effect within several days. The side effect can also be reduced by taking the niacin with meals or by taking an aspirin first. Nevertheless, it prevents many from continuing with niacin.
Some other cautions: niacin can also cause flare-ups of gout arthritis. Don't confuse niacin or vitamin B3 with "niacinamide," which does not lower cholesterol. Liver inflammation can also result from high doses of niacin, and it is a simple process to monitor the body for these effects with blood tests.
Source:
www.news-press.com
10 August 2011
‘Good’ Cholesterol Knocks Cancer Risk Down
Consuming Omega-3 Fatty Acids is a vital part of any health routine. These unsaturated fats promote good heart health and reduce inflammation. Scientists are now saying that high-density Lipoprotein (HDL) – the so-called good cholesterol that is boosted by omega-3s – may lessen the risk of colon cancer.
Research conducted in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer & Nutrition (EPIC) study found that people who have higher levels of HDL are less likely to develop the form of cancer, and the more HDL the better.
Scientists determined that for each 16.6 milligram-per-deciliter increase in HDL, participants has a 22% lower chance of developing bowel cancer. More than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Another 51,000 die of the disease in the same time period.
A 2000 study in the Journal Annals of Internal Medicine associated Omega-3 consumption with higher HDL levels. To ensure healthy levels of HDL, many experts recommend taking supplements that provide a daily dose of omega-3s. These supplements often include fish oil, a rich source of the fatty acid.
Source:
www.betterhealthresearch.com
15 March 2011
Are Doctors Minimizing Side Effects of Statins?
San Diego Union writer tells us that a UCSD researcher who helped analyze nearly 900 studies of cholesterol-lowering statins, has indicated that doctors who prescribe an increasingly popular family of drugs to prevent strokes and heart attacks may be downplaying the wide range of side effects.
Physicians who fail to recognize those complications – willfully or through ignorance – could put patients at risk of developing more serious health problems, according to the review, published yesterday by the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs.
Certaim symptoms that surfaced in the studies are rarely blamed on statins when they occur outside, i.e.:
- Memory loss,
- Insomnia,
- Numbness in the fingers and toes,
- Sexual dysfunction,
- Weight gain,
- Vision impairment
- Several dozen other conditions
Muscle and liver damage are the best-known side effects. But even then, too many doctors dismiss muscle soreness, pain and weakness as symptoms linked to other factors such as aging, the review concluded.
“Unfortunately, physicians who aren't aware of a problem with a drug often won't consider that drug when the problem arises,” said Dr. Beatrice Golomb, a widely cited statin expert and an associate professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego.
She urges patients and doctors to look more closely at the list of possible side effects for statins, which include Lescol, Pravachol, Zocor and Lipitor.
“They should familiarize themselves with them so they can make appropriate treatment decisions,” she said. Golomb co-wrote the report with UCSD undergraduate student Marcella Evans, who is now enrolled in UC Irvine's Medical Scientist Training Program.
Statins are one of the most well-received groups of drugs in developed countries, with hundreds of millions of prescriptions written annually. Worldwide sales of the medications – the bulk of which occur in the United States – totaled more than $25 billion last year, according to pharmaceutical industry associations.
Researchers consistently have shown that statins can lower levels of LDL cholesterol, which causes plaque buildup in the arteries, by 20 percent to 60 percent while helping to increase levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Formation of plaque can lead to heart attacks and strokes. About 1.3 million Americans will have a heart attack this year, and about 700,000 will suffer a stroke, according to the American Heart Association. More than 450,000 people will die from heart disease in that time, while at least 150,000 will die from stroke.
A major study last year also found that Crestor, a powerful statin, also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack in people with normal levels of LDL cholesterol but high counts of a protein that causes inflammation.
More doctors have become enthusiastic about statins after seeing overwhelming evidence of their benefits and reading a growing body of research that sets ever-stricter targets for what are considered to be healthy levels of LDL cholesterol. They're prescribing the drugs to a wider range of patients – and in higher doses.
Some doctors worry that if they talk too much about potential side effects, their patients might have second thoughts about the drugs, Bove said. “My statement to my patients is, 'Live until you're 80 and have muscle aches sometimes,' ” he said. “If I were to list all of these things, nobody would want to take a statin.”
Dr. Mark Hlatky, a professor of health research and cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University, said the report should trigger more interest in finding ways to prevent or treat statins' side effects. But he said patients taking the drugs shouldn't let the new concerns become reasons for going off the medication.
“Many people taking statins need to take them. If they give up on them too soon, that's not good either,” Hlatky said. “If they feel like they're having a side effect, they should talk to their doctor.”
The extensive review of research literature by Golomb and Evans turned up a number of characteristics associated with statin complications, including being female, elderly, obese, an alcoholic or a diabetic.
Such risk factors and many of the side effects were tied to a single process triggered by statins, one that damages the body's ability to deliver energy to muscles and the brain, the UCSD report said.
In that process, statins interfere with the production of coenzyme Q10, a compound central to the production of energy within mitochondria, the power plants of cells.
Those findings have prompted some doctors to treat statin complications with Co Enzyme Q 10, Bove said.
Physicians also relieve statin-related muscle aches with tonic water that contains quinine, a naturally occurring substance that has anti-inflammatory properties. He tells patients who are on statins to drink half a cup of tonic water when they experience soreness.
Reference:
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego,
January 28, 2009
Author: Keith Darce
Brushing Teeth less than 2 times per day points to CV Disease Risk
People who don’t brush their teeth twice a day have a higher risk of developing heart disease, according to research based on Scottish data.
Those who do not brush their teeth as often have a 70 per cent extra risk of heart disease than those who brushed them twice a day, although the overall risk remained quite low, researchers say.
The findings could mean that asking people how often they brush their teeth could help doctors determine who is at risk of future cardiovascular disease, the researchers say.
It has already been established that inflammation in the body, including the mouth and gums, plays an important role in the build up of clogged arteries and, over the last two decades, there has been increased interest in links between heart problems and gum disease.
But this research, published on bmj.com, is the first to investigate whether the number of times that people brush their teeth has any bearing on the risk of developing heart disease, the authors say.
The study, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analyzed information from more than 11,000 adults who took part in the Scottish Health Survey.
The data analyzed covered lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, exercise and oral health routines.
Oral health was generally good, with around 62 per cent of participants reporting regular (at least every six months) visits to the dentist, and 71 per cent reporting good oral hygiene (brushing teeth twice a day).
Participants who brushed their teeth less often were slightly older, more likely to be men and of lower socioeconomic status, and had a high prevalence of risk factors, including smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
On a separate visit, nurses collected information on medical history and family history of heart disease, blood pressure and blood samples – these enabled the researchers to determine the levels of inflammation present in the body.
The information gathered from the interviews was then linked to hospital admissions and deaths in Scotland until December 2007.
Once the data were adjusted to take into account other risk factors for heart disease, such as family history, social class, obesity and smoking, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent tooth-brushing had a 70 per cent extra risk of heart disease compared to those who brushed their teeth twice per day.
People who had poor oral hygiene also tested positively for inflammatory “markers” in the body such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen.
Prof Watt said that more work would need to be done to confirm whether poor oral health was a marker for cardiovascular disease, or whether it actually caused it. But he said: “Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease – furthermore inflammatory markers were significantly associated with a very simple measure of poor oral health behavior.”
But he says that a “simple self-report measure of tooth-brushing” could give a good idea of a person’s future risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Given the high prevalence of oral infections in the population, doctors should be alert to the possible oral source of an increased inflammatory burden.
“In addition, educating patients in improving personal oral hygiene is beneficial to their oral health regardless of the relation with systemic disease.”
Cholesterol Facts
Q What is cholesterol?
A In the body, cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential within the body for the normal function of our cells. Cholesterol provides a major component of the sheaths (covers) that insulate our nerves, as well as being the starting point for many hormones. Cholesterol also plays a vital role in the way we digest fat. The liver produces most of the cholesterol in our bodies, although many tissues produce their own.
Q What foods influence my blood cholesterol levels?
A We are all interested in improving our health but there is still a great deal of confusion about the role of cholesterol in our diets and in our bodies. We know that having a high blood cholesterol level is bad for our hearts, but how does dietary cholesterol affect blood cholesterol? Since the 1980s, research has consistently shown that the amount of saturates in the diet is a major influence on blood cholesterol levels. The level of cholesterol in the diet is no longer considered a priority when trying to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Q Which foods might help reduce my cholesterol levels?
A Evidence shows that some foods can actively lower blood cholesterol. However, keeping a healthy shape, weight and being physically active is just as important and will also influence your blood cholesterol in a positive way. Eat a balanced diet including whole grains and foods high in soluble fiber such as pulses, oats, fruits and vegetables. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are also good. Swap to healthier fats and oils, such as rapeseed or olive oil, but use them sparingly. If you are still struggling to lower your cholesterol level and/or have a strong family history of heart disease, you may want to consider a food fortified with Stanols or Sterols such as spreads and yogurts.
Q Which foods should I avoid?
A There are certain foods that are high in saturates to avoid, or limit, in your diet to help reduce your blood cholesterol levels. These include pies and pastries, sausages, butter, ghee, lard and dripping, cakes and biscuits made with butter, lard or other saturated fat or hydrogenated vegetable oil, hard cheeses or cream.
Source
WalesOnLine.co.uk
Sept 13, 2010
Daily Diet can Lower Cholesterol & Increase Heart Health
Researchers at the Harvard School of public Health analyzed the findings of eight previous studies on fats and came to the conclusion that reducing the amount of saturated fats—those from items such as butter/dairy, meat, egg yolks—and replacing them with polyunsaturated fats—those that are liquid at room temperature—increases good cholesterol and improves your chances of staving off heart disease.
Image Courtesy:www.foods-that-heal.com/images/horizontal-fru...
Lowering Cholesterol is a waxy-fat type substance that is produced naturally by your body. It helps protect nerves, make cell tissues, and produce certain hormones. But when there is too much cholesterol in the blood, the excess builds up on the walls of the arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. Large deposits of cholesterol can completely block an artery.
There are two types: LDL and HDL. An easy way to remember which one is which is that the LDL is "Lousy" cholesterol. You don't want your "lousy" score to be too high. On the other hand, think of HDL as "Healthy," something that is good for you. LDL low is the main source of cholesterol build-up in your arteries, and this is what can lead to decreased blood flow to your heart, even to blockage. HDL is quite the opposite. It can help keep the blood flowing through your arteries at full speed ahead.
The study concluded that for each 5 percent increase in those Good Fats there was a 10 percent drop in heart disease. Making a permanent change in your dietary habits to reflect the change in fat consumption could lead to a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease in just four years. Common wisdom recommends that you should keep your saturated fat intake to 10 percent of total calories per day, and replace saturated fats with healthier alternatives whenever possible.
So what type of fats should you be using? Steer clear of unsaturated and trans fats (often found in processed foods). Instead, look for polyunsatured fats (also known as
6
and monounsaturated fats. They are found in vegetable oils, fish, bananas, avocados, nuts and sunflower seeds, among others
By Susan Brady
Published: Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Fatty Fish Consumption Lowers Heart Disease Risk
New research published in the European Heart Journal has found that eating oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and trout at least once per week can contribute to a reduction in the risk of heart failure in men.
The study conducted at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) analyzed 39,367 Swedish men between the ages of 45 and 79 from 1998 to 2004. Its results indicated those who ate fatty fish once a week had a 12 percent lower risk of developing heart failure.
In addition to that, the men who consumed at least 0.36 grams a day of marine omega-3 fatty acids were 33 percent less likely to develop the condition.
Omega 3 Essential fatty acids, whose health benefits extend beyond heart health to possibly include prostate health, are found in abundance in cod liver and other fish oils.
Dr. Emily Levitan, is a research fellow in the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Center at BIDMC. She says that previous research shows ingredients in fatty fish appear to lower risk factors for a range of heart-related conditions by lowering triglycerides and reducing blood pressure. "Collectively, this may explain the association with the reduced risk of heart failure found in our study," she stresses.
Levitan says the study further supports the guidelines from the American Heart Association which recommend eating fatty fish twice a week
Source:
Personal Liberty News Desk
Aug 1st, 2009
Fish oil improves Cholesterol levels in Professional Football Players
Watsonville, CA -- Fish oil given to professional football players has proven to be effective for improving cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the January/February 2009 issue of Sports Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach.
The patented fish oil supplement was administered to 36 professional football players from ages 23 to 41 years of age that volunteered to be randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group in the study. Players were grouped according to BMI and position played. A physical assessment and baseline cholesterol tests were given to directly measure LDL, HDL and other fat lipid concentrations in the blood.
The research team chose Pro Omega from Nordic Naturals, Inc. During the two month period of the 2006-07 football season, subjects in the treatment group were given 4 soft gels per day of ProOmega, which provided 2560 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (650 mg EPA; 450 mg DHA; and 180 mg other omega-3 fatty acids per soft gel).
“The results illustrated a rather dramatic decrease in triglyceride levels, a healthy increase in HDL, and lowered LDL in the athletes who used a moderately high dose of omega-3 EFA fish oil,” relates Joseph Maroon MD a board certified neurosurgeon who serves on the Nordic Naturals Scientific Advisory Board and was one of the study researchers.
This study adds to the numerous publications that have shown fish oil to be a helpful preventative measure for heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends 2 to 4 gram of EPA and DHA daily for individuals with elevated triglycerides and 1 gram of EPA and DHA daily for individuals with risk factors for heart disease.
Dr. Joseph Maroon has become one of the nation’s leading advocates of fish oil and has recently authored two books, “Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory” and “The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life
High Fat Diet Shows Decline in Physical & Mental Function in 9 Days
A study by Oxford University researchers has shown that rats fed a high-fat diet show a stark reduction in their physical endurance and a decline in their cognitive ability after just nine days.
Dr Andrew Murray, who has now moved to the University of Cambridge says, "We found that rats, when switched to a high-fat diet from their standard low-fat feed, showed a surprisingly quick reduction in their physical performance. After just nine days, they were only able to run 50 per cent as far on a treadmill as those that remained on the low-fat feed."
High-fat diets, such as those that are prevalent in Western countries, are known to be harmful in the long term and can lead to problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart failure.
They are also known to be associated with a decline in cognitive ability over long time spans. But little attention has been paid to the effect of high-fat diets in the short term.
Physical endurance ie how long we can keep exercising, depends on how much oxygen can be supplied to our muscles and how efficiently our muscles release energy by burning up the fuel we get from the food we eat.
In particular, using fat as a fuel is less efficient than using glucose from carbohydrates, but the metabolic changes induced by different diets are complex and it has been controversial whether high-fat feeding for a short time would increase or decrease physical performance.
Research Facts:
All 42 rats were initially fed a standard feed with a low fat content of 7.5%. Their physical endurance was measured by how long they could run on a treadmill and their short-term or 'working' memory was measured in a maze task.
Half of the rats were then switched to a high-fat diet where 55% of the calories came from fat.
After four days of getting used to the new diet, the endurance and cognitive performance of the rats on the low- and high-fat diets was compared for another five days.
With the standard feed, 7.5% of the calories come from fat. That's a pretty low-fat diet, much like humans eating nothing but muesli," says Dr Murray. "The high-fat diet, in which 55% of the calories came from fat, sounds high but it's actually not extraordinarily high by human standards. A junk food diet would come close to that."
"Some high-fat, low-carb diets for weight loss can even have fat contents as high as 60%. However, it's not clear how many direct conclusions can be drawn from our work for these diets, as the high-fat diet we used was not particularly low in carbs," he adds.
On the fifth day of the high-fat diet (the first day back on the treadmill), the rats were already running 30%less far than those remaining on the low-fat diet.
By the ninth day, the last of the experiment, they were running 50% less far.
The rats on the high fat diet were also making mistakes sooner in the maze task, suggesting that their cognitive abilities were also being affected by their diet.
The number of correct decisions before making a mistake dropped from over six to an average of 5 to 5.5.
The researchers also investigated what metabolic changes the high-fat diet was inducing in the rats. They found increased levels of a specific protein called the 'uncoupling protein' in the muscle and heart cells of rats on the high-fat diet.
This protein 'uncouples' the process of burning food stuffs for energy in the cells, reducing the efficiency of the heart and muscles. This could at least partly explain the reduction in treadmill running seen in the rats.
The rats that were fed a high fat diet and had to run on the treadmill also had a significantly bigger heart after nine days, suggesting the heart had to increase in size to pump more blood around the body and get more oxygen to the muscles.
While this research has been done in rats, the Oxford team and Andrew Murray's new group in Cambridge are now carrying out similar studies in humans, looking at the effect of a short term high-fat diet on exercise and cognitive ability.
The results are important not only in informing athletes of the best diets to help their training routine, but also in developing ideal diets for patients with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, insulin resistance or obesity.
People with such conditions can have high levels of fat in the blood and show poor exercise tolerance, some cognitive decline, and can even develop dementia over time.
Journal reference:
1. Murray et al. Deterioration of physical performance and cognitive function in rats with short-term high-fat feeding. The FASEB Journal, 2009; DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-139691
Source:
FASEB Journal
September 2009
Low Cholesterol and Low Cancer Risk
Two studies published online Nov. 3 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention may dissolve the long standing concern that low cholesterol levels may lead to a higher risk of cancer.
Jiyoung Ahn, Ph.D., from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues examined the association between serum total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and cancer risk in 29,093 men.
During 18 years of follow-up, they found a lower risk of cancer overall in men with higher total serum cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol.
However, the association of higher total cholesterol and cancer risk disappeared if cancers diagnosed during the first nine years of follow-up were excluded, "indicating that lower serum cholesterol may be a marker of existing malignancy and not a causal factor," the authors write.
Elizabeth A. Platz, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, and colleagues examined the association between serum Cholesterol and prostate cancer risk in 5,586 men who had been randomly assigned to the placebo arm of a clinical trial.
They found that men with low cholesterol had a lower risk of high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason score, eight to 10; odds ratio, 0.41) but not prostate cancer overall or lower grade disease.
Results from the first study "clearly show that low total cholesterol is unlikely to increase risk of cancer," write the authors of an accompanying editorial.
Results from the second study suggest that "analyses to replicate the association between low total cholesterol and reduced risk of high-grade prostate cancer are well justified."
Source:
HealthDay News
Nov 2009
Pepppermint Interferes with Statin Cholesterol Drugs
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. They educate their audience at www.peoplespharmacy.com. Joe says that you should not eat peppermints while taking a cholesterol-lowering medication.
He says that mint is somewhat similar to grapefruit in its effect on certain statin drugs. One study revealed that peppermint oil increases blood levels of felodipine (Plendil), which is used as a model for this type of drug interaction (Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, September 2002).
Based on this research, one might anticipate that certain cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor) also might be affected by peppermint oil. Crestor is one unaffected by this interaction, so that drug poses no worry.
Menthol also appears to have a similar effect. Someone consuming a lot of cough drops might need to be aware of this potential drug interaction.
Source:
Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon
The People's Pharmacy
September 20, 2009
Red Yeast Rice Lowers Cholesterol levels in Statin-Intolerant Patients
Red Yeast Rice is an herbal supplement that decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level.
This study evaluates the effectiveness and tolerability of red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change to treat dyslipidemia in patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy.
The setting was a community-based cardiology practice. There were 62 patients with dyslipidemia and history of discontinuation of statin therapy due to myalgias. Patients were assigned by random allocation software to receive red yeast rice, 1800 mg (31 patients), or placebo (31 patients) twice daily for 24 weeks. All patients were concomitantly enrolled in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle change program.
Primary outcome was LDL cholesterol level, measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Secondary outcomes included total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, liver enzyme, and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels; weight; and Brief Pain Inventory score.
Results:
In the red yeast rice group, LDL cholesterol decreased by 1.11 mmol/L (43 mg/dL) from baseline at week 12 and by 0.90 mmol/L (35 mg/dL) at week 24. In the placebo group, LDL cholesterol decreased by 0.28 mmol/L (11 mg/dL) at week 12 and by 0.39 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) at week 24.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in the red yeast rice group than in the placebo group at both weeks 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P = 0.011).
Significant treatment effects were also observed for total cholesterol level at weeks 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P = 0.016). Levels of HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, liver enzyme, or CPK; weight loss; and pain severity scores did not significantly differ between groups at either week 12 or week 24.
Conclusion:
Red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change decrease LDL cholesterol level without increasing CPK or pain levels and may be a treatment option for dyslipidemic patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy.
Source:
Annals of Internal Medicine
A Randomized Trial
David J. Becker MD; Ram Y. Gordon, MD; Steven C. Halbert, MD; Benjamin French, PhD; Patti B. Morris, RD; and Daniel J. Rader, MD
16 June 2009 | Volume 150 Issue 12 | Pages 830-839
The Cholesterol Story
Dr Jacqueline E Campbell, is a family physician. She tells us how many persons become frightened when told that their cholesterol levels are elevated. They immediately assume that just the elevation of cholesterol puts them at "heart attack's door". There's more to it. High cholesterol does not reliably
identify all people with hidden heart disease, nor does just lowering it cure anyone of heart disease she
says.
Dr Campbell goes on to explain that cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance made by the body. It is found
among the fats in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. She says that cholesterol is not a "bad guy ". It is actually beneficial to the body. Our bodies need it to form cell membranes, to produce bile
acids for digestion and also to make hormones and vitamin D.
Important to note that cholesterol and other fats cannot dissolve in the blood. They have to be
transported to and from the cells by special carriers called 'lipoproteins'. There are several kinds, but
the ones to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the so-called "bad cholesterol") and high-density
lipoprotein (HDL, the "good cholesterol").
LDL transports cholesterol TO the cells, whereas HDL transports cholesterol AWAY from the cells.
When one has excess LDL, too much cholesterol can be deposited into the walls of the arteries. On the other hand, insufficient HDL impairs cholesterol transport away from the walls of the arteries for disposal in the liver. Therefore, too much LDL and or not enough HDL can set the stage for atherosclerosis.
She continues to explain that this is the process in which deposits of fats, cholesterol, cellular waste
products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery forming plaque. Plaques can grow large enough to significantly reduce the flow of blood through an artery. They can rupture and cause blood clots to form. These clots can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body.
If either happens and blocks a blood vessel that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack. If this occurs in
the brain, it causes a stroke. And if blood supply to the arms or legs is reduced, it can lead to poor
circulation.
Research has shown that it is the oxidation of LDL that causes the most damage to the arteries. Oxidation
or free radical development is the process that changes the composition of this essential nutrient, turning it into a destructive compound. This oxidised LDL injuries the innermost lining of the arterial wall called the endothelium and causes inflammation. So it is the absolute LDL level and LDL oxidation that are involved in atherosclerosis and increasing heart attack risk.
Dr Campbell says that apart from LDL-cholesterol, there are other risk factors for developing a heart
attack or stroke. They include high levels of homocysteine, fibrinogen, triglycerides (another blood
fat) and C-reactive protein. The presence of high levels of these other risk factors can result in a
person suffering a heart attack or stroke, even though their cholesterol level is low.
Low cholesterol
Studies have shown that low total cholesterol levels are associated with depression and anxiety, perhaps
because low cholesterol may reduce levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Some research suggests that low LDL levels may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Pregnant women who have low total cholesterol may be more likely to give birth prematurely and have low birth weight babies.
A low HDL level increases the risk of heart disease.
For menopausal women, a low HDL level coupled with excess weight may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Dr Campbell answers the question: What about cholesterol and diet?
Typically the body makes all the cholesterol it needs. The liver manufactures about 800-1500 mg of
cholesterol per day, and this contributes much more to total body cholesterol than does diet. The liver can
also make cholesterol from carbohydrates, proteins or fat.
Only animal foods - egg yolks, meat (that includes mutton and oxtail!), poultry, shellfish, milk and
cheese - contain cholesterol. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. The intake of saturated fats and trans fats in the diet is the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol.
She explains that trans fat is made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil - a process called
hydrogenation; this increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats. They
can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, cookies, snack foods, and foods made with
or fried in partially hydrogenated oils.
She maintains that simple changes can reduce your bad cholesterol and increase the good.
Here is her recommendation:
. Maintain a level of physical activity that keeps you fit. Walk or do other activities for at least 30 minutes on most days. If you need to lose weight, do enough activity to burn more calories than you eat every day.
. Limit your intake of foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition; especially limit foods like soft
drinks and candy.
- Add foods that are high in soluble fibre - whole grains, oats, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
-Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet - low in saturated and trans fat, high in healthy unsaturated fats, and low in calories - reduces LDL cholesterol significantly better than other diets.
This diet is rich in vegetables, lean fish, and chicken and low in red meat. A really low- or no-fat
diet does a good job of lowering LDL, but may also reduce HDL.
-Eating foods and drinks with added phytosterols (plant stanols and sterols) is another way to drop
your LDL. The American Heart Association recommends 2 to 3 grams a day of plant sterols.
In addition Dr Campbell also recommends the following supplements:
. B Vitamins in particular B 6, B 12, folic acid and Niacin. Niacin, is particularly effective at promoting
a healthy balance between LDL and HDL cholesterol. Take a minimum of 100 to 200 mg a day. It can cause the skin to turn red and tingly.
. Fish oil 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily
. Antioxidants. These include garlic, Vitamins A,C,E, the mineral selenium.
. Red Yeast Rice extract 600 to 1,200 mg a day. Do not use this supplement if you are taking a statin
(prescription medication for lowering cholesterol).
. Artichoke leaf extract: Take 1800 mg daily.
. Policosanol: Take 10 mg daily
. Coenzyme Q 10: This antioxidant is essential for the production of energy in little cellular engines called
mitochondria. Statins deplete the body's natural supply of this antioxidant. Take 100 to 200 mg daily.
Source:
Life Line CD
drjcampbell14@yahoo.com
February, 2009
Ways To a Healthier Heart.
February is National Heart Month. During this month, we should all refresh our understanding of heart disease and what we can do to prevent it.
Thirty-four percent of all deaths in the United States are from heart disease. But 10 years ago, the number was even higher. Yearly deaths from heart disease have dropped from 1.1 million to 831,000 over the last 10 years.
Despite new technology and better understanding of what causes heart disease and how to treat it, there are still 81 million people in the country with some form of heart disease. In addition:
• 73 million have high blood pressure.
• 18 million have coronary artery disease.
• 8.5 million have had a heart attack.
• 10 million have chest pain that indicates poor blood flow to the heart muscle.
• 6 million have had a stroke.
• Another 6 million suffer from heart failure.
The World Health Organisation estimates that if every American lowered his or her cardiovascular risk factors to acceptable levels, there would be 370,000 fewer deaths each year from heart disease.
So what are cardiovascular risk factors and how do we reduce them to normal levels?
Cholesterol: For every 1 percent decrease in your cholesterol level, you lower you risk of death from heart disease by 1 percent. Exercise and a healthy diet can help lower cholesterol levels.
Blood Pressure: High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. One major contributor to high blood pressure is salt intake. Try cutting back on the salt you eat. Cook with it, but don’t put it on the table. Daily exercise and weight loss will also decrease your blood pressure.
Smoking: Smoking increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Talk with your doctor, who can refer you to several programs designed to help smokers stop smoking.
Physical Activity: Regular physical activity does more to improve your overall health than any pill your doctor can give you. It’s good for your heart and circulation. Try to find 30 minutes each day that you can dedicate to some form of physical activity.
Obesity and Diabetes: As we get older, and we add a few extra pounds, we are all at greater risk of developing diabetes, which increases cardiovascular risk. A healthy diet and daily exercise will help lower your weight and blood sugar.
Finally, talk with your primary care provider. If you have a cardiologist, talk with him or her. Attend educational events. Read information you see in the newspaper or in your doctors’ offices. Do as much as you and your family can to reduce your cardiovascular risk. Share what you learn with your neighbors and friends. Work together to build a healthier community and to fight heart disease in your daily life.
Robert Rosenblatt and family nurse practitioner Joan Eckert prepared this essay on behalf of the physicians and providers of Finger Lakes Cardiology Associates, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic.
Source: Posted Feb 18, 2010
By Dr. Robert Rosenblatt and Joan Eckert.
MPNnow.com
What Are Lipidologists?
Lipidologists can help you to prevent heart disease They are doctors that help manage your cholesterol and find treatments that will fit your needs.
In the United States, nearly one-third of individuals over the age of 20 have high cholesterol, a risk factor for both heart attacks and stroke. It is no surprise then that a new type of medical specialist has emerged to treat the legions of patients who have this potentially life-threatening cardiovascular condition. These new specialists in the medical field are called lipidologists.
A lipidologist is a doctor who has received additional training in cholesterol management, cardiovascular risk assessment and intervention. In addition to a medical degree, a lipidologist has a written certificate attesting to the completion of this special training. As this field is still very young, fewer than 400 certified lipidologists nationwide.
The American Board of Clinical Lipidology is the group that oversees this certification curriculum. It recognized its first graduating class in 2005. However, lipidologists have yet to be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, a governing organization of medical specialty groups.
Nevertheless, the field of lipidology, or the study of fatty substances in the blood, is certainly a growing specialty. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, has developed a National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). This program was formed in an effort to address how cholesterol works, and how to check and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Currently, most individuals only learn about their cholesterol levels by having a blood sample drawn during a yearly checkup.
When to Consult a Lipidologist
According to the American Heart Association, the ideal level of total cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood. Cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dL are considered a moderate health risk, while levels higher than 240 mg/dL are a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Of the different types of cholesterol, the low-density lipids (LDL) should be below 100 mg/dL; the high-density lipids (HDL) should be above 60 mg/dL.
For most people battling high cholesterol levels, a primary care physician will first suggest lifestyle changes, such as adhering to a low-fat diet and increasing physical activity levels. The NCEP recommends trying a three month lifestyle change before starting any cholesterol medication.
If these lifestyle changes are not enough, the NCEP then recommends beginning a LDL-lowering drug therapy program under the guidance of a primary care physician. If this medication regimen has not effectively lowered cholesterol levels to a healthy level within 12 weeks, the group then advises seeing a lipidologist.
A cardiologist should be consulted if the primary care physician or patient has immediate concerns about heart disease, or if the patient has other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Patients should also check with their insurance company to confirm that an appointment with a lipidologist will be covered.
Sophisticated Testing
A lipidologist will likely recommend advanced cholesterol testing. Standard cholesterol testing identifies three lipid categories: HDL, LDL and triglycerides, another type of fat found in the body. Advanced cholesterol tests provide a magnified look at cholesterol subclasses, providing 13 measurements of cardiovascular risk.
These 13 measurements include cholesterol particle size, a newly discovered risk factor for heart disease, and levels of apolioprotein B100, a protein that helps the body deliver and remove cholesterol to cells.
Using this advanced cholesterol test, the lipidologist can then provide specialized interventions. For example, some individuals may require medication designed to enhance the transfer and removal of LDL cholesterol. Other individuals may simply require more specialized dietary changes, such as limiting salt, increasing soluble fiber, or consuming less than 7% of total daily calories from fat.
A lipidologist, depending upon the needs of the individual, may also recommend an MRI to determine the amount of fat present in the muscle tissue. Research suggests that high muscle lipid levels are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Though certified lipidologists have been through specialized training for cholesterol management, the same medical tests and treatments they recommend can also be prescribed by a primary care physician or a cardiologist. In fact, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends that a lipidologist work in conjunction with a patient's primary care physician, registered dietician, nurse and pharmacist.
This will allow each team member to be aware of all recommendations provided to the patient. The patient can also encourage communication between team members by keeping a cholesterol management journal, which records dietary changes, exercise, medications and test results.
Click here to find a Lipidologist at the American Board of Clinical Lipidology website.
Source:
Betsy Lee-Frye - About.com
October 03, 2008
Women: How to have a Healthy Heart
Heart disease is the number-one killer of women in the United States. And an estimated 8 million women have it. What's more, a new study shows that in recent years the overall heart disease risk for Americans-especially women-hasn't continued the healthy downward trend it showed in previous decades.
Here are some practical ways to prevent heart disease. Start with these age-specific steps.
During your 30's
Do not eat any foods that contain trans fat.
Commonly used to extend the shelf life of packaged foods like cookies and crackers, and also found in margarine, they can raise bad cholesterol (LDL), while lowering good, protective HDL (your LDL should be below 100; your HDL, above 60).
In a Harvard University study, women with the highest level of trans fats in their blood had triple the risk of heart disease, Take a cue from major U.S. cities like NewYork and Philadelphia (which have banned trans fats from restaurants), and pitch them out of your pantry.
On ingredient lists, they show up as "hydrogenated" and "partially hydrogenated" oils. But scrutinize any product touted as "trans fat-free" at the supermarket, too: Some manufacturers have replaced hydrogenated oils with tropical oils that are high in saturated fat, which also raises LDL cholesterol. Eating out in a city where trans fats aren't banned? Skip the fried stuff-many restaurants still use the oils for frying.
Seek advice from your OB/Gyn.
During your prime reproductive years, you may visit your OB-GYN more than you go to your regular doctor. Make sure you talk to him/her about your heart as well as gynecological health, particularly because blood pressure (BP) can rise if you're taking birth control pills or when you're pregnant.
Women who develop pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related hypertension) are prone to heart disease later in life. Sharonne Hayes, MD, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota says, "How your heart handles pregnancy offers a snapshot of how it will look in middle age." To keep blood pressure from creeping up (the safe zone is lower than 120 over 80), substitute herbs and spices for salt-try cumin for a healthy twist on popcorn, for instance. Too much salt causes blood vessels to retain water, which can lead to high BR
Relax
Losing your temper can damage your arteries, according to research by C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Women's Heart Center and endowed chair in Women's Health at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles.
"Raging causes your blood pressure to surge and stay up there", Dr. Merz says. That's why it's crucial to get a grip on anger at an early age, before it takes a toll. Learn now that instead of venting when a situation makes you furious, you can take a few deep breaths and describe to yourself what's making you angry. That should help you calm down.
During your 40's.
Sleep is very important.
When your hormones are fluctuating, it can be tough to fall asleep. More than half of women in their 40s suffer from insomnia at least a few nights a week. When your body is deprived of restorative sleep, your heart has to work harder.
Studies show that too little sleep may lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes. How little is too little? A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that less than seven-and-a-half hours per night puts you at risk for heart disease. Another recent research from Duke University found that women who take more than a half-hour to fall asleep or those who awaken frequently during the night have inflammation in their arteries and higher levels of insulin, two major risk factors for heart disease.
So, do your best to unwind with a relaxing bedtime routine. Listen to soothing music or soaking in a tub with bath salts. And, despite how difficult it might sound, try to exclude technology and work from your the bedroom- your bed should be for sleep and sex only.
Monitor your mood.
Peri-menopausal women have nearly double the risk for depression, and that spells trouble for their hearts, says Jennifer Mieres, MD, a cardiologist and associate professor at New York University School of Medicine.
Uncontrolled stress can raise blood pressure and flood blood vessels with inflammatory chemicals, which in high doses can be toxic to the heart, while depression has been linked to hardening of the arteries.
Then there are the unhealthy habits that come with stress and the blues: smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating.
Good suggestion for your mood and your heart?
Exercise. - 30 minutes of aerobic activity (walking, biking, swimming) most days of the week has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression by about half, an effect comparable to antidepressant use, while lowering blood pressure and strengthening your cardiovascular system.
Did you know?
The American Heart Association has identified several risk factors for heart disease:
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- A family history of the disease
YOUR RISK IS LOW IF...
none of the above apply to you. Keep up the healthy habits!
YOU ARE AT-RISK IF…
one or more of the above applies to you.
Make lifestyle changes to lower your risk.
YOUR RISK IS HIGH IF...
you've had a heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery; or if you have diabetes.
Get regular checkups, and call your doctor immediately if you experience chest, jaw, or back pain, or shortness of breath.
Source: Health.com
Jan 2009
Julia Sommerfeld
Young Adults Need To Watch Their Cholesterol
A new study reveals that young adults should be monitoring their cholesterol
According to a recent report released, even young adults need to be aware of their cholesterol level.
A group of researchers who followed individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 for 20 years have reported to have found that higher cholesterol at an early age can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke for individuals later in life. This is due to the fact that unhealthy levels of cholesterol may be damaging their arteries as early as 20 years of age.
“We don’t usually worry too much about heart disease risk until a person is in middle age because it’s rare to have a heart attack in young adulthood,” said the leader of the study, Dr. Mark Pletcher. “Young adulthood also matters. The damage you sustain then to your coronary arteries probably is going to catch up with you later.”
According to the researchers for the study, a higher cholesterol level in young adults does not mean that these individuals should be on medication to lower their levels. They advised these individuals to make sure that they exercise regularly and watch what they eat.
“Diet and exercise may be more important than cholesterol-lowering medication in young adults. We don’t have enough direct data in terms of effectiveness and safety of treatment of young adults to recommend that,” said Pletcher.
According to the American Heart Association recommendations, everyone 20-years-old and older should test their cholesterol once every five years. Individuals at risk for heart disease are those with a level of 200 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Thanks to new healthcare legislation that was passed in March this should be relatively easy to do because health insurance plans must pay for preventive services. These services include cholesterol screening, although many do already cover this screening.
Source:
eCanadaNow
Aug 4th, 2010